The league expanded - again - geographically. After adding Prague, Bratislava, and Donetsk (Ukraine) last year, this year its Vladivostok (far east of Russia) and Zagreb (Croatia). Thanks to addition of Vladivostok, the league now spans 11(!) time zones (from Central European GMT+1 to Vladivostok GMT+11). Incidentally, the Zagreb-Vladivostok distance is 5,151 miles (Vancouver to Miami is 2,805 miles).

Regarding the expansion, KHL is not done. Next year, they'll 99% add Jokerit Helsinki (one of the most popular Finnish teams) and one team from Italy (Bolzano?).

Interesting transaction/moves:

Ex-Penguin G Peter Skudra just became the head coach of Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.John Torchetti will be the new head coach of CSKA Moscow (ex-Penguin Sergei Zubov will be the defense coach there).Jonathan Cheechoo to Medvescak Zagreb.Tomas Vincour (ex-DAL, COL) to Kazan.Hossa to RIG

Tomas wrote:The league expanded - again - geographically. After adding Prague, Bratislava, and Donetsk (Ukraine) last year, this year its Vladivostok (far east of Russia) and Zagreb (Croatia). Thanks to addition of Vladivostok, the league now spans 11(!) time zones (from Central European GMT+1 to Vladivostok GMT+11). Incidentally, the Zagreb-Vladivostok distance is 5,151 miles (Vancouver to Miami is 2,805 miles).

Somebody in the TSN comment section said that Kovy went back to the K because he didn't like the travel of the NHL. Funny thing is that he'll probably be travelling 2x as much.

Regarding the expansion, KHL is not done. Next year, they'll 99% add Jokerit Helsinki (one of the most popular Finnish teams) and one team from Italy (Bolzano?).

I like that the KHL is gaining some traction. I still feel the best talents will be in the NHL, but it gives other very talented players that might not have been drafted, drafted late and never assimilated into the NHL, or whatever reason a chance to play on a huge stage. NHL players leave for the KHL, but maybe soon it could be happening the other way around too.

Actually (I'm just nitpicking because there's nothing to talk about here hockey-wise at the moment), he signed a little while ago but it's from Colorado. He was traded straight for Cameron Gaunce at the deadline. Imagine if that kind of asset management went down under Shero's watch.

It's like trading Bortuzzo for Wandell and Wandell leaving a month later...catastrophe.

It's a shame we snapped up Drazenovic (does anyone here even know we got him, I didn't see it discussed...he's not a bad player), he would have been dynamite for this team. Especially on a team that - from looks of it - could really use a creative center that can distribute the puck. Drazenovic will maybe join them next year.

CSKA Moscow forward Alexei Morozov, who played seven seasons in the N.H.L. before returning to Russia in 2004, suggested that Kovalchuk’s return might lead to the eventual repatriation of other Russian stars, like Alex Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk and Evgeni Malkin. All three recently re-signed with their N.H.L. clubs. But as Kovalchuk’s retirement maneuver showed, there is a way for them to leave.

CSKA Moscow forward Alexei Morozov, who played seven seasons in the N.H.L. before returning to Russia in 2004, suggested that Kovalchuk’s return might lead to the eventual repatriation of other Russian stars, like Alex Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk and Evgeni Malkin. All three recently re-signed with their N.H.L. clubs. But as Kovalchuk’s retirement maneuver showed, there is a way for them to leave.

Morozov's name is mentioned and not a single mention of him switching to the Red Army team this year? I guess there was more important things going on back in May...like the playoffs.

CSKA hockey club added two players. Today, two-year contract with CSKA signed forward Alexei Morozov. At the same time the agreement is designed with a defender Georgi Misharin, whose contract will be signed in the near future.

Alexei Morozov:

- The contract I signed with CSKA Moscow today, I can assure you that all of the information that appeared in the media before, ahead of the event and its authors were based not on facts but on speculation. We, together with the agent did a great job, and I'm happy with her results. Happy with his transition into the army club, I was completely satisfied with the attitude of the players in this team and the club approach to preparing players for the task. Interesting and very goals that stand before the command. And these goals can be only one - the revival of its former greatness, restore winning tradition of the hockey club CSKA Moscow. By the way, I am familiar with CSKA since childhood, it turned out that my brother (former Penguins' draft pick Valentin Morozov) is a graduate of the Army of the school, and he finished his career in "Wings of the Soviets." I have the same can happen the other way around.